FG, AfDB MEET ON FUNDING OF SECTIONS OF COASTAL AND TRANS-SAHARA HIGHWAYS. ..... Says It's For Greater Regional Transport Environment and Economic Integration

Engr David Nweze Umahi
Honourable Minister of Works

"This project, would be a measure to provide enduring infrastructure and industrialization along the corridors, is expected to carry a large network of paved highways that will create a good transport environment and trade routes for moving goods and services along the North-South corridors." Umahi

Nigeria's Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi has opened discussions with the African Development Bank on possible funding for the construction of some sections of the Coastal and Trans-Sahara Highways in parts of Nigeria. 

Umahi revealed that the move is as part of the action plan of the Federal Government to increase the economic opportunities of the nation and enhance the transnational investment process as envisioned by the Renewed Hope administration of the President of Nigeria, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu. 

He made this known during the meeting with the AfDB delegation, led by Mr. Mike Salawou, Director of Infrastructure and Urban Development which held in his Office at the Federal Ministry of Works on Tuesday in Abuja.

"This project, would be a measure to provide enduring infrastructure and industrialization along the corridors, is expected to carry a large network of paved highways that will create a good transport environment and trade routes for moving goods and services along the North-South corridors." He said. 

The Honourable Minister stressed that "opportunities of investment on infrastructure development abound along the coastal and trans-sahara routes, including opportunities for investment in the hospitality industry, tourism, estate, agricultural production, parks and industrial business.

He said that funding would be required to tackle the sections of the Coastal and Trans-Sahara Highways not yet constructed, awarded, or taken over by concessionaires under the Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI). 

According to him "The coastal road is 700 km. That is phase one and it is running from Lagos State through Ogun and Ondo states, passing through the coastal states of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and ending in Cross River State. We have spurs to the Ogoja road, the one you did; the African Trans-Sahara road that is going to Cameroon."

"We are sectioning the roads. Just last week, we awarded section one, phase one.Phase one is 47.47 kilometers and it is already awarded to Hi-tech Construction Limited. 

"We have phase two, which is about 57 kilometers that takes us from the end of phase one. Phase one ends at Lekki Peninsula. It takes us from Ahmadu Bello Way to Lekki Deep Sea Port. Phase two takes us to the boundary between Ogun State and Ondo State. That is about 57km. It is going to be available for a number of funders under the lead investor; Hi-tech Construction Nigeria Limited. When discussion comes up, then there will be a need for us to meet with Hi-tech and the Honourable Minister of Finance/Coordinating Minister of the Economy." Umahi stated.

Earlier in his mission statement, the  spokesperson of the team from the Africa Development Bank (AFDB) and Directior of Infrastructure and Urban  Development, Mike Salawou said the Bank has a mandate to contribute to the sustainable economic development and social progress of its regional members individually and jointly and is therefore, prepared as a multilateral institution to offer a robust partnership to the Federal Government of Nigeria, especially by providing technical and financial support for the development of road infrastructure in Nigeria.

He said: "So, as the African Development Bank, we are ready to assist you. To make it easy for us, we need to have any studies available to make sure how we can support you on this project. 

"We are ready. We can see where we can find the resources to support you in structuring the different projects." He further added.

Salawou equally noted that "the dualization of the road between Nigeria and Cameroon will foster regional integration between the two counties, because I believe Nigeria is Cameroon's number one trade partner So, we need to reinforce the modernized infrastructure there."

This was contained in a statement issued and signed by Orji Uchenna Orji, Special Adviser on Media to the Minister of Works.